Chapter 69

Faye

I can't stop thinking about it.

Even as Yoko sleeps soundly beside me, her warm breaths tickling my collarbone, her fingers loosely curled around my shirt, I can't turn my brain off.

Blair. Allison. The fucking threats.

I knew that woman wouldn't just let it go so easily. I knew Allison was too much of a vindictive bitch to just drop it and move on.

And now? She's playing her game through Blair.

Fucking hell.

I exhale slowly, rubbing my temples.

At least—at least now it's manageable.

Now that I know what they're up to, I can counter them. I can shut this entire thing down before it escalates. I have Engfa. And more importantly—Yoko trusts me enough to handle it.

I glance down at her, my heart clenching at the way she's snuggled so close to me, as if even in her sleep, she's seeking comfort.

This—us—shouldn't be something we have to fight for. But the world doesn't make things easy for people like us.

Yoko is weeks away from her finals. She's worked too hard to let this bullshit distract her. She doesn't deserve this stress.

I have to protect her.

I have to make sure that no matter what happens—she can focus on what matters most right now.

And that means? Handling this myself.

I exhale sharply, carefully detangling Yoko's grip on my shirt, before reaching for my phone on the nightstand.

I need to get this sorted. Now. I pull up Engfa's chat and type quickly.

Faye

Come find me after work. Need to talk.

I don't even have to wait long. Engfa's reply is immediate.

Engfa

Is it about the marriage proposal? 👀💍

I groan, rolling my eyes. Of course she would think that.

Faye

No, dumbass.

There's a slight pause. Then—

Engfa

Oh. It's serious-serious, huh? Alright. See you later.

I lock my phone, exhaling.

Good. At least with Engfa involved, I know I won't be walking into this fight alone.

I glance at the clock, my eyes narrowing slightly. It's time.

I shift, pressing a soft kiss to Yoko's temple, then murmuring against her skin, "Baby, time to get up."

A low grumble. I chuckle, already expecting this. Of course, she's reluctant.

I drag my fingers down her back, soothing, coaxing, spoiling her with warmth. "Come on, love. We need to get ready for school."

Yoko buries her face deeper into my shirt, mumbling something completely unintelligible before sighing dramatically, "Just a few more days..."

I smile, rubbing gentle circles on her back.

"That's right." I press another kiss to her hair, tender, sweet, full of love. "A few more days, and then you're done."

Yoko whines again, tilting her head up just enough for me to see her adorable pout. "Yeah, but then there's the finals..."

I grin, already anticipating that complaint. "Which you will ace. Exceptionally well."

She snorts, eyes barely open, muttering sleepily, "Okay, okay... fine."

I laugh, watching as she finally peels herself off me, grumbling all the way to the bathroom.

My smile softens. This girl. My girl. I watch her disappear into the bathroom, fondness blooming deep inside me.

She's going to be just fine.

We're both ready to leave, bags slung over our shoulders, shoes slipping on, keys in my hand. But before I open the door, I catch it—the slight crease in Yoko's brows, the way she's lingering, chewing on her bottom lip.

I already know what's weighing on her mind.

I exhale softly, stepping closer, cupping her face gently in my hands. "Hey." My voice is soft, a quiet reassurance.

Her eyes flicker up to meet mine, and I see it—the worry, the hesitation.

Blair. Allison. Our relationship.

I press my forehead lightly against hers, my thumbs grazing over her cheeks.

"Nothing's going to happen." My voice is steady, certain, unwavering. "Don't let them get into your head, love. Just focus on your studies, on your exams. That's all you need to worry about."

She exhales, her shoulders finally relaxing, her eyes searching mine, like she's making sure I really, truly mean it.

And I do. I always do.

Yoko sighs, her lips pulling into a small, relieved smile before she presses a kiss to my cheek and steps past me, hopping into my car.

I smirk, watching her get comfortable, her hands already reaching for the aux cord.

Of course.

Shaking my head, I slide into the driver's seat, starting the engine, the familiar hum filling the quiet morning.

As I pull out onto the road, my eyes flicker briefly to Yoko, watching as she scrolls through my playlist, completely at ease now.

That's all I want–For her to feel safe. For her to trust that I will always, always protect her.

I pull up a few blocks away from school, the usual drop-off spot we agreed on for discretion. The engine hums quietly as Yoko unbuckles her seatbelt, her fingers lingering on the door handle for a second longer than necessary.

I glance at her, knowing exactly what's in her head before she even says anything.

"You'll be fine," I murmur, cupping her chin gently. "Just focus, okay?"

She smiles, soft but small, like she's still trying to push past the lingering unease. But then she leans in quickly, pressing a kiss to my lips, and before I can pull her back for more, she's already slipping out of the car, backpack slung over her shoulder.

I roll the window down slightly as she turns back, waving cheekily. "See you later, babe."

I smirk. "Don't fail your exams, scholar."

Yoko snorts, rolling her eyes before heading towards school. I watch her until she disappears into the crowd, then let out a slow breath before shifting gears and pulling away.

By the time I park my car in the school's staff lot and step into the building, the hallways are already bustling with noise.

Students are grumbling about finals, a few gathered around their lockers, sharing notes with frantic energy. Others look like walking zombies, sleep-deprived and barely functioning.

I walk past them, listening idly to the snippets of conversation.

"I swear, if I fail Lit, I'm gonna cry—"

"Does anyone understand the calculus worksheet? Because I sure as hell don't."

"I'm just gonna guess my way through Chem and hope for the best."

I suppress a smirk, shaking my head.

High schoolers.

Finally, I reach my classroom, pushing open the door. The familiar space greets me—rows of desks, sunlight filtering in, books stacked neatly on my desk.

I take a deep breath, stepping inside, preparing for today's lesson.

Final stretch–For them. For me. And most importantly, for Yoko.

The day passes in a blur of lessons, consultations, and frantic last-minute questions from students who should have started preparing weeks ago.

By now, my desk is buried under an avalanche of practice essays and worksheets, all waiting to be graded before the finals. I sip at my now-cold coffee, tuning out the chatter of students filtering out of the classroom as I finish up my last consultation for the day.

A boy from the back row—Ryan—looks at me like I'm his last hope. "Miss Peraya, please... can you go through this passage again? I just—my brain's not braining anymore."

I pinch the bridge of my nose, exhaling slowly before going over the extract with him one last time.

By the time I finally dismiss him, the sun has already dipped lower, casting warm golden hues through the windows.

Finally.

I lean back in my chair, rolling my shoulders, feeling the weight of the day settle in.

Teaching is rewarding, but during finals season? It's pure chaos.

Between explaining the same essay structures over and over again, calming down students on the verge of breakdowns, and watching some absolutely wing it with an alarming amount of confidence, I'm surprised I still have my sanity intact.

But now—now I'm finally done for the day.

I stack the remaining papers neatly, stretching out my arms before reaching for my phone.

A text from Engfa, probably confirming our meeting later. And, of course—a text from Yoko.

Yoko

Done yet, babe?

I smirk, already typing back as I gather my things.

For you? Always.

I step out into the cool evening air, making my way toward my car, and immediately—I see her.

Yoko is leaning casually against the passenger door, arms folded, waiting for me.

The sight alone makes me smile.

She looks so effortlessly beautiful, even after a long day of classes, her hair slightly tousled, her presence alone washing away the fatigue of my day.

When she spots me, her lips curve into a small smile, her eyes softening. I unlock the car with a quick press of my key fob, and without a word, she slides in, settling into her usual seat beside me.

I start the engine, the soft hum filling the quiet space between us as I pull out of the parking lot, heading toward home.

"How was your day?" I ask, one hand gripping the wheel, the other resting near the gear shift.

"It was alright," she says, shrugging. "Not much distractions, nothing much happened, really."

I glance at her briefly, catching the slight crease between her brows. "But?" I prod.

She exhales. "I saw Blair, though."

I keep my expression neutral, but I immediately tighten my grip on the steering wheel. "Did she say anything?"

Yoko shakes her head. "No. She just... looked at me. Nothing more. But, I don't know—I still feel uneasy. Like I can't tell what's going through her head."

I reach over, giving her thigh a gentle reassuring squeeze. "You don't have to figure it out. We will."

Yoko nods, exhaling slowly, like she's trying to release the tension in her body.

"Engfa's coming over later," I tell her. "We'll talk to her, tell her everything, and see what we can do from here."

Yoko glances at me then, her lips twitching slightly. "Right. The Attorney General of Chaos herself."

I chuckle. "More like the Attorney General of Getting-Us-Out-of-This-Mess."

She hums, leaning back against her seat, looking out the window. "I just want this to be over," she murmurs.

"I know, baby," I say softly, squeezing her hand. "We'll make sure it is."

And with that, I press down on the gas, determined to get us home quickly—where we can finally figure out how to end this madness.

...

The moment we step into the house, I instinctively close the curtains, ensuring that every possible view from outside is shut off.

Yoko doesn't say anything, but I can feel her watching me, knowing this has become a routine.

I glance back at her, offering a small smile. "Just making sure, darling."

She exhales softly, nodding. "I know. Thank you."

I walk over to her, brushing my fingers against her cheek. "You hungry?"

Yoko perks up immediately—because, well, food is her love language.

"You're making something?" she asks, hopeful.

I chuckle, shaking my head. "I'll grab some snacks. Engfa's coming soon anyway, so we'll just eat dinner after she leaves."

Yoko pouts dramatically but doesn't argue.

I make my way into the kitchen, grabbing some snacks—cutting up some fruits, tossing a few biscuits onto a plate, and pouring her a glass of iced tea.

When I return to the living room, Yoko is lounging on the couch, scrolling on her phone.

"Here," I say, setting the plate down in front of her.

She immediately lights up, grinning as she picks up a biscuit. "You're the best, babe," she says between bites, leaning in to press a quick kiss on my cheek.

I smirk, reaching over to steal one of her biscuits.

"Hey!" she protests, dramatic as always.

Before I can throw a remark back, a knock on the door echoes through the house. I exchange a quick glance with Yoko.

"That'll be Engfa," I say, already moving toward the entrance.

I unlock the door and, sure enough, Engfa stands on the other side, dressed in her usual smart-casual attire, a knowing smirk already playing on her lips.

"Took you long enough," she drawls, stepping inside. "I was starting to think you were too busy being domestic with your girlfriend to answer the door."

I roll my eyes, closing the door behind her. "Just get inside, Attorney General of Chaos."

She grins, making her way toward the living room where Yoko is sitting. And just like that, the real conversation is about to begin.

Engfa sits across from us, her usual confident, teasing smirk gone, replaced by a sharp focus. I wrap an arm around Yoko's shoulders, keeping her close, grounding her as I always do.

"Alright," Engfa says, leaning back against the couch, crossing her arms. "Let's get to it. What exactly am I here for?"

I take a deep breath. No playing around, no jokes. This isn't something to brush off.

"We have a problem," I say plainly.

Engfa's brows raise slightly, but she doesn't interrupt.

"A problem involving Yoko, me, and—" I exhale sharply, my voice dipping with irritation as I say the next name. "Allison."

That—that—catches her attention. 

Engfa's eyes immediately sharpen. "Alright," she says, voice shifting into full attorney mode. "I'm listening."

I glance at Yoko, giving her a reassuring squeeze before nodding at her. "You ready to tell her?" I murmur.

Yoko nods, exhaling. "Yeah."

So, she begins. She recounts everything.

From the moment she met Blair in Edinburgh—her casual interactions, Blair's subtle interest. The small moments that she brushed off as nothing significant.

Then, returning home, the strange feeling of being followed. How she shrugged it off, convincing herself she was just being paranoid.

Then... the first confirmation.

"I saw Blair at the park," Yoko says, voice tightening slightly.

I rub my thumb against her hand gently, keeping her steady.

"She acted friendly," Yoko continues, her tone calm despite the memory. "I thought... maybe she was just trying to be friends. But then she kept making these weird remarks—like she was testing me. Trying to see if I'd react."

Engfa's expression hardens.

"Then, a few days later, I saw her again," Yoko swallows, her grip tightening on my hand. "She was getting into a car."

Engfa waits, already suspecting something.

Yoko looks straight at her, her voice a little quieter this time. "Allison was in the passenger seat."

Engfa goes completely still. I see the moment realization flickers in her eyes, but she lets Yoko finish.

"That's when I knew something was wrong," Yoko says.

And then... she tells her even more.

The confrontation with Blair at the school entrance. The revelation that Blair knew about us. The deal Blair made with Allison—help Allison catch us in exchange for academic favoritism. The pictures. The ones Blair had been secretly taking of us.

Then, the worst part.

"She tried to force me," Yoko finally says, her voice shaking just slightly.

That's where I clench my jaw. Yoko tightens her grip on my hand, but I can already see Engfa's expression darkening. She's silent, absorbing everything. Then—

"Blair tried to kiss you?" Engfa asks, her tone deceptively calm.

Yoko nods.

Engfa exhales slowly, then leans forward. "Let me get this straight," she says.

"Allison—the same Allison who once dated you, Faye—decided that the best way to get rid of you... was to use a desperate girl who has an unhealthy infatuation with your girlfriend?"

I don't say anything. Because she's right.

"And in return," Engfa continues, her gaze flicking toward Yoko, "Blair gets special treatment in her academics, but only if she successfully exposes your relationship with concrete proof?"

Yoko nods again.

Engfa exhales, shaking her head. "Fucking pathetic," she mutters.

That—that makes Yoko's lips twitch, just a little.

"So," Engfa sits up, her entire demeanor shifting. "They want to play this game?"

She looks straight at me. "Then let's beat them at it."

Engfa leans forward, resting her elbows on her knees, her expression turning dead serious.

"Alright," she begins, voice steady, professional—the voice of an attorney who knows exactly how to play the game.

"Here's what we're going to do."

Yoko sits up straighter beside me, listening intently, while I keep my arm wrapped protectively around her.

"First," Engfa holds up a finger, "I'm officially representing you both. That means, if anything escalates, you come to me first before reacting. No rash moves, no confrontations. You let me handle it."

I nod.

"Second," Engfa continues, "since Blair already has those images of you two, she holds a temporary advantage. Even though taking those pictures without consent is an invasion of privacy, and you could argue harassment, the fact remains that those images could still damage you both—especially you, Faye."

I clench my jaw. Of course. That's exactly what Allison is banking on.

Engfa doesn't stop.

"Right now, Allison and Blair have the upper hand because they can claim they're doing the 'right thing' by exposing an 'inappropriate' relationship between a student and a teacher."

Yoko flinches slightly at the word 'exposing.' I rub slow circles into her back, keeping her calm.

"So what can we do?" I ask, voice low, controlled.

"For now, nothing," Engfa states.

Yoko looks up at her, eyes wide, a little anxious. "Nothing?"

"Not yet," Engfa corrects. "You said Blair's been snapping pictures in secret, but you don't know what exactly she has, right?"

Yoko nods hesitantly.

"Until she actually reveals them, we can't counter anything. But that also means she hasn't made a move yet. Which means she's still waiting for something."

I exhale, understanding now.

"She's probably waiting for a better shot," I murmur. "One that's undeniable."

"Exactly," Engfa nods.

Yoko grips the hem of her sweater tightly. "So what do we do, just sit here and wait for them to ruin everything?" she asks, voice tight with frustration.

"No," Engfa assures her. "That's why I'm going to do some digging. Because while Blair has something against you two, we need to find something against her and Allison."

Yoko and I exchange glances.

"You mean... expose them?" Yoko asks hesitantly.

Engfa exhales, shaking her head. "Not directly. As much as I'd love to drag Allison through the mud, we don't have concrete evidence of her and Blair being involved in a relationship yet."

I narrow my eyes. "But we know," I say.

"Knowing and proving are two different things," Engfa points out.

I sigh heavily. She's right. Even though I know Allison and Blair are involved, there's no proof.

"If we try to expose them without solid evidence," Engfa continues, "it could backfire. They'll just turn the blame back onto you, and suddenly you two are the ones under investigation, while they get away clean."

Yoko frowns, clearly frustrated. "So what do we do then?" she asks again.

Engfa smirks. "I do my job," she says simply. "I dig."

I raise an eyebrow. "You think you can find something?"

"Faye," Engfa leans back, grinning, "I'm an attorney. My whole job is uncovering dirt. And if there's one thing I know? People like Allison always have skeletons in their closet."

I feel a flicker of hope for the first time. "So," I exhale, "we wait until you have something?"

"That's the best move for now," Engfa nods. "Keep a low profile, act normal, don't give Blair or Allison any better chances to snap something even more incriminating."

Yoko nods, but I can tell she's still uneasy.

"Hey," Engfa softens, looking at her directly. "I know it's not what you want to hear, but trust me—this can turn in your favor. We just need to be patient."

Yoko hesitates, then nods slowly. I squeeze her hand, reassuring her again.

"Alright," I say. "Then let's beat them at their own game."

Engfa leans back, stretching her arms as she lets out a small sigh. "And, last reminder before I go."

She flicks her gaze between me and Yoko, expression serious. "For now, you two need to keep your distance."

Yoko visibly tenses, and I can feel her protest forming even before she says anything.

So I gently coo at her, tucking a strand of her hair behind her ear. "Baby, just for this period, alright? And besides, finals are here. You should really use this time to focus anyway."

Yoko pouts, grumbling under her breath. "I know, I know," she mutters, arms crossing. "But it just sucks."

Engfa snorts, leaning forward. "Yeah, well, so does being publicly exposed in a scandal, which is what we're trying to avoid, genius."

Yoko shoots her a glare, and I can't help but chuckle softly, rubbing her back to calm her down.

"She's right," I say gently. "If Blair and Allison don't have anything solid yet, let's not hand it to them on a silver platter."

Engfa nods approvingly, giving me an exaggerated thumbs up. "Listen to your girlfriend," she teases. "She's got more sense than you."

Yoko groans, throwing her head back against the couch. "Fine," she sighs, finally conceding.

I squeeze her hand, giving her a small smile.

Engfa stands, smoothing down her jacket. "Alright, I'll handle this. You two just focus on keeping things lowkey. I'll pop by in the next two days with an update."

I nod firmly, walking her toward the door while Yoko remains seated, sulking. Just before Engfa steps out, she pauses, glancing back at me.

"And Faye," she murmurs, voice quieter now, "don't let them get under your skin. You're smarter than them."

I breathe out slowly, nodding. "I know."

Engfa flashes me a small smile, claps me on the shoulder, then steps out into the night. I watch as she disappears down the driveway, her car pulling away.

The moment I close the door, I turn back toward the couch, where Yoko is sitting with her knees pulled up to her chest, lips slightly pursed.

I sigh softly, walking over and sitting beside her.

"I hate this," she murmurs.

I wrap my arms around her, pulling her into my chest. "I know, baby," I whisper, kissing the top of her head. "But it won't be forever. Just for now."

She closes her eyes, exhaling deeply before leaning into me, relaxing ever so slightly.

"Just for now," she repeats, and I hold her tighter, silently promising that we'll get through this.

...

I stand by the stove, stirring the pasta in the pan, the aroma of garlic and herbs filling the kitchen. The only sound accompanying me is the faint simmering of the sauce and the occasional soft sigh from Yoko, who's sitting at the counter, chin propped up on her palm, watching me.

"I still hate this," she mutters, her voice slightly petulant.

I chuckle, shaking my head as I plate the pasta. "I know, baby. But I promise, it's just for now."

I bring the dish over to her, setting it down with a fork before pressing a soft kiss to her temple. "Eat up."

She huffs but picks up her fork, twirling the pasta before taking a bite. Her expression instantly shifts, eyes widening slightly as she chews.

"Okay," she mumbles, swallowing. "I might be a little bit less miserable now."

I smirk, sliding onto the stool beside her with my own plate. "Glad my cooking still has some magic over you."

She shoots me a playful glare, nudging me with her elbow. "Shut up and eat."

We eat in quiet comfort, the weight of everything lingering between us but not crushing us. It won't.

Because I won't let it.

By the time we're in my car, I'm hyper-aware—watching, scanning, my grip on the wheel firm.

I take the usual route, but my eyes flicker to the mirrors constantly, checking every car, making sure that no black sedan is trailing us.

When I pull up at Yoko's house, I slowly exhale, my muscles untensing slightly when I see nothing suspicious parked nearby.

I turn to her, reaching out to squeeze her hand. "It'll pass soon, alright? Don't worry too much, focus on what's important."

She nods, but she looks at me for a long moment before leaning in, pressing a soft, chaste kiss to my cheek.

"Drive safe, babe," she whispers, squeezing my hand one last time before hopping out of the car and heading toward her front door.

I wait—watching her enter safely, seeing the lights flicker on inside—before I finally pull away from the curb, heading back home.

As soon as I turn onto my street, I see a familiar figure standing by my front door.

What the fuck?

Allison.

I tighten my grip on the wheel, but I force myself to keep my face neutral as I slowly pull into my driveway. This isn't good—not even in the slightest.

I let the engine hum for a few extra seconds, giving myself time to think.

I know Allison. I know how she plays. She doesn't make unnecessary moves unless she's sure she has an upper hand. But she doesn't come to my house for no reason either.

And I need proof—something to use against her.

So, instead of getting out immediately, I reach for my phone, quickly tapping into my home security app.

I switch on the recording for the doorbell camera, ensuring everything that happens from this moment on is captured.

Once I'm sure it's rolling, I take a deep breath and step out of my car. I make a deliberate show of my casualness, slamming the door shut a little too loudly, stretching slightly like I hadn't just been thrown into a sudden high-stakes game of chess.

"Didn't expect visitors at this hour," I say as I make my way toward my front door, purposefully walking past Allison and making her follow.

Just a little more. Just a few more steps closer. She does, just as I wanted.

Good.

"Bit late, don't you think?" I add, sticking my keys into the lock, pretending to be unfazed.

Allison tilts her head slightly, a mocking smile curling onto her lips. "I figured we could have a little chat."

I open my door, but I don't step in—not yet. Instead, I lean against the doorframe, crossing my arms.

"Chat?" I echo, arching a brow. "Didn't we do enough of that already?"

She smiles wider, but it doesn't reach her eyes. "Oh, this one's different," she says smoothly. "This one's about your little girlfriend."

I brace myself, keeping my face impassive even as my pulse quickens and I know the doorbell is recording.

So I just smile lazily, feigning boredom. "Is that so?" I hum. "Alright, then. Let's talk."

I keep my face blank, even as my blood starts to boil at the sheer audacity of this woman.

"I heard a student complain that Yoko injured her," Allison says smoothly, watching me carefully. "Twisted her wrist, apparently."

I barely blink.

Ah. So that's the angle we're playing now, huh? I already know who this "student" is.

Blair.

The same Blair who had tried to force herself onto Yoko, who had been following her, who had threatened her.

The same Blair who was Allison's little pawn in this twisted game.

"Really?" I say, keeping my tone light, easy—like I'm merely indulging in casual gossip. "That's the first I'm hearing of it."

Allison tilts her head, feigning sympathy.

"Well, you wouldn't, would you? After all, you're her teacher, not her—" she pauses just a fraction too long, and I can see the wheels turning in her head before she picks a more diplomatic word, "—guardian."

I hum, pretending to consider it.

"Sounds like a disciplinary issue, then," I say, shrugging lazily. "Shouldn't you be speaking to her during appropriate school hours instead of lurking outside my house at night?"

I watch her closely, because I just threw the ball back in her court. 

I know exactly what she's trying to do. And I also know that if she was really handling this as a "concerned principal," she wouldn't be here, saying this to me.

Allison smiles, but it's tight, forced.

"Oh, I'm considering it," she replies, voice syrupy-smooth, fake as ever. "I might even consider suspending her."

I tilt my head, pretending to be intrigued. "Suspending her?" I echo, arching a brow. "For what, exactly?"

Allison's eyes flicker. "For injuring another student, of course."

"Injuring?" I let out a mock-amused laugh, arms still lazily crossed over my chest. "And I assume you've spoken to Yoko about this already? Heard her side of the story?"

She says nothing.

I smile. "Oh? You haven't?" I push, voice dripping with amusement.

Still, nothing. She's losing control of the conversation, and she knows it. So I push a little further.

"Forgive me, but you're awfully defensive over this particular student."

Allison's expression doesn't change, but I see the slightest shift in her posture. "I look out for all my students," she says smoothly.

"Sure," I say, watching her. "But this one, in particular, seems to be a... special case."

I can see the moment she realizes what I'm implying. Her jaw tightens.

"Careful, Faye," she warns, but I just smirk.

"Why?" I ask, mocking curiosity. "Because you don't want me assuming things? Like, say... you and Blair?"

For a split second, I see her slip. The way her lips press together, the way her fingers twitch ever so slightly.

Got you.

"What are you saying?" she asks, voice slow, deliberate.

"Oh, nothing much," I say airily, tilting my head. "Just that I saw you getting quite close with Blair."

I see it—the way her entire body stiffens.

Bingo.

"And what are you suggesting?" she asks, low and controlled.

I tilt my head, all mock innocence. "Nothing at all, Allison," I say smoothly. "Just stating an observation."

I know I just struck something. Because Allison has never looked so desperate to end a conversation before.

I watch Allison closely, my smirk never wavering. "You seem tense," I say lightly. "Did I touch a nerve?"

Allison scoffs, rolling her eyes. "Please, Faye. If you're trying to bait me into saying something incriminating, you'll have to try harder."

I shrug, looking thoroughly unbothered. "I don't know what you mean," I say, keeping my voice casual. "I'm just making observations. Like, how you seem unusually invested in this particular student's wellbeing."

Allison huffs out a laugh, arms crossing. "As I said, I look out for all my students."

"Oh, of course," I say smoothly, stepping just slightly closer, forcing her to hold her ground.

I tilt my head, voice dropping just enough to be unsettlingly calm. "But tell me, Allison," I say, watching her every micro-expression. "How many of your students do you have personal deals with?"

There it is. The tiniest flinch. She tries to mask it quickly, but I've known her far too long. Still, she says nothing. So I continue.

"How many of them do you promise academic favors in exchange for personal favors?"

She narrows her eyes. "What are you implying?"

"Oh, you know," I say casually, leaning back against my doorframe, fully aware that my recording doorbell is capturing every word.

"I mean, it's quite the coincidence, isn't it? Blair conveniently has images of me and Yoko—images she shouldn't even have, by the way—while also having a... close connection with you."

Allison lets out a scoff. "You think you're so clever," she says, rolling her eyes.

"Not really," I say mildly. "I just know how you operate."

She glares. And I know I have her.

"What I do in my personal life is none of your business, Faye."

"You're right," I say easily. "But it becomes my business when you and your... 'student' start stalking and blackmailing my girlfriend."

She doesn't respond. Which means I just hit the nail on the fucking head.

Perfect.

"So, let's just get this straight," I continue, speaking slowly, deliberately. "Blair follows Yoko around, snaps pictures she shouldn't be taking, and conveniently has an agreement with you. Do you see why I might find that a little... suspicious?"

Allison crosses her arms.

"There's nothing suspicious about it," she says stiffly. "Blair is an excellent student. She deserves to be recognized for her work."

"Oh? And how exactly is she being recognized?" I ask, my tone deliberately polite.

Allison pauses. Just for a split second. But that's all I need.

"I have a responsibility to my students," she says, voice carefully measured. "To nurture those with... potential."

There it is.

Fucking jackpot.

I pretend to consider her words.

"Right. So Blair has... potential," I repeat, raising an eyebrow. "Enough potential for you to promise her valedictorian status, I assume?"

Allison's eyes flash.

Got you.

"That's a strong accusation, Faye," she says tightly.

"Is it?" I ask, tilting my head. "I mean, it makes sense. You make sure Blair gets valedictorian. She, in return, gives you whatever you need to take me down."

Silence.

I can see her teeth clench.

I lean in slightly, dropping my voice. "Isn't that right, Allison?"

She doesn't say a word. Which is as good as a confession. And lucky for me... it's all on the fucking recording.

I exhale slowly, masking my disgust, the satisfaction of trapping Allison still fresh.

"Well," I say, straightening up, stretching my shoulders like I just finished a light workout. "This has been illuminating."

Allison doesn't move. She's watching me, her eyes flickering between anger, desperation, and something else I don't care to name.

"Don't try anything funny, Allison," I say coolly, leveling my gaze with hers. "Because now? I hold the cards."

She stiffens. "What do you mean?"

I tilt my head, mockingly thoughtful.

"Oh, I don't know," I say, grinning lazily.

"Maybe the part where you admitted to striking a deal with Blair. The part where you just admitted to manipulating academic rankings for your own personal gain. The part where you said you knew about Yoko and me this entire time and let your little pet stalk her just so you could—what, Allison?"

I pause, deliberately dragging it out. "So you could get me back?"

That does it. Allison's jaw tightens.

"I—"

"You what?" I cut her off, my voice sharp, incredulous. "You thought fucking ruining my life was a love confession?"

Her face contorts, the façade finally cracking.

"Faye," she says, voice dropping into something almost pleading. "I just—I just wanted to protect you. This thing you have with Yoko—it's reckless, it's dangerous. You're risking everything—your career, your future. I had to do something."

I stare at her. For a split second, I don't even know how to respond. Then, a sharp, bitter laugh escapes me.

"Are you fucking serious?" I say, voice edged with disbelief. "You wanted to protect me? You wanted to break us up for my own good?"

Allison nods, stepping closer. "Faye, I know you. You're smart, you're talented—you were always meant for something greater. And I—"

"And you what?" I snap, stepping back. "You decided to play god? To control my life? To pull some sick, twisted stunt so I'd fall back into your arms?"

Allison flinches, but I don't stop.

"You think this is about protection?" I scoff. "This isn't about me, Allison. This is about you. Your guilt. Your fucking delusions. You think you can undo what you did to me back in university? News flash—"

I take a slow step forward, watching as she tenses. 

"—from the moment you betrayed me, from the moment you turned away from me and left me behind, there was never a way back."

Silence. Allison's eyes widen, her face paling. "Faye," she says, quieter now, weaker. "I—"

"No." I cut her off, my voice steely.

"You don't get to say my name like that. You don't get to pretend that this is anything other than what it is—a desperate, fucked-up attempt to rewrite the past."

She swallows, looking almost lost. "You don't understand—"

"Oh, I understand perfectly," I say, smiling coldly. "I understand that you're still the same selfish, manipulative person you were back then."

Her eyes flash.

"And now?" I continue, voice sharp as a blade. "You're fucking a student."

Her breath catches.

I grin. "Yeah," I say, tilting my head. "I know about you and Blair."

Her whole body stiffens. For a moment, she looks horrified. Then—something shifts.

"So what?" she finally says, voice quieter, dangerous.

"So what?" I echo, mocking. Then I laugh, a low, bitter sound. "You really are disgusting, Allison."

Her eyes darken. "You don't get to judge me," she says, voice suddenly cold, defensive.

"Oh, but I do," I say smoothly, crossing my arms. "Because unlike you, I'm not grooming my students."

She inhales sharply, but I don't give her the chance to respond.

"I don't care what kind of delusional justification you've cooked up in that messed-up head of yours," I say, voice low, lethal. "But let me be clear—whatever twisted fantasy you had of getting me back? It was never going to happen."

Her lips part, like she wants to argue, wants to plead but I step back, already done with this conversation.

"Now, if you'll excuse me," I say, mockingly polite, reaching for my door handle. "I have an actual relationship to get back to."

Her face hardens. "Faye—"

"Goodbye, Allison," I say flatly.

Then I slam the door in her face. I lock it. And I breathe. Then—slowly, a smirk spreads across my lips.

Because, oh. Oh, this is good.

I turn towards my doorbell.

The one that has just captured everything.